this post was submitted on 02 Jun 2025
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There is this girl I like, she knows I would like to go on a date with her someday. She isn't sure what she wants at the moment. That's all fine but I genuinely begin to develop feelings for her. And I just don't really care all that much for a friendship anymore. It screws with my psyche, it's like only being allowed to smell a fine wine instead of drinking it. (bad analogy, but fuck it)

I've had enough. I just want to tell her I don't like seeing her on just a friendship level any more. And if she doesn't see me as a romantic partner, which is totally A-okay fine with me, but it will mean I'm walking away from this friendship all together. At the same time I don't want to force her to make a decision (she sometimes has trouble saying no). And here's the real son of a gun, she is highly suicidal and takes endings of friendship badly (as she herself has said).

So does anyone have any advice to spare here? Yes, I'm a terrible person so think of it for her sake. Because the friendship is going to end, one way or the other.

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[–] mranachi@aussie.zone 19 points 1 day ago

You're taking the wrong path, I see some things that you may not be considering.

Friendships don't need to be defined by beginnings and ends. The gentlest way to cool a friendship is to spend less time with them.

Spending time within someone you find attractive doesn't screw with your psyche. An internal cycle of hope and rejection does.

She already rejected you, you said it in the post. 'Its not the right time' is not an invitation to wait, it's a gentle no (and it's much worse approach than just saying no). Accept it and move on. If your thoughts wander to oh but maybe we could be together if I do something - remind yourself she said no. If you need further clarification ask again.

Threatening to end the friendship for a romantic relationship has zero good outcomes. If you can't handle the rejection or don't want to be her friend, then stop making time to see her. The only reason to explain that it is 'because you want more', is the thought that it will change her mind - remember emotional manipulation is gross and rapey but don't worry you haven't done it yet. Thinking about things isn't doing them.

Also, you sound like a young man, so I just want to affirm that the drive to have sex can be wild strong, and make clear thinking hard. It's okay, just remember you don't want be with someone who you can get to agree to a relationship with you, you want to be with someone who wants to be in a relationship with you. Everyone is worth that much.

[–] Krudler@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago

End the friendship now.

She doesn't want you plus the suicidal ideations complicate matters.

Don't make it a thing, just stop being in her life slowly. It doesn't need to be an event, just stop being around her.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 1 day ago

I've been in the same position. Let her know that it's too emotionally challenging maintaining a friendship due to your strong feelings. Be prepared to end all contact to protect yourself.

[–] FeelzGoodMan420@eviltoast.org 37 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

If she's actively suicidal then she is no place to start a new relationship and I do not think you should be persuing it. Suicidal depression is nothing to fuck with. I hope you understand the magnitude of that. Also you said she has trouble saying no. You really don't want to end up dating her just because she's scared to say no. That's completely fucked up at so many levels.

This girl has to take care of herself and work through her issues. You can support her as a friend, but if it causes you distress then you need to back off and let her utilize her other support systems. If she is telling you she doesn't know what she wants, then I would listen to her and respect that. You make the choice - can you be her friend only and support her while not feeling bad yourself? If yes, support her. If not, move on. My personal opinion is you should move on and maybe approach her in the future once she's healthy, if the timing is right. Or just move on and you'll find someone else.

[–] SolidShake@lemmy.world 41 points 2 days ago

Oh that's easy, you say "I wanna keep seeing you but on a dating level."

Just be blunt and honest man. It's that simple.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 35 points 2 days ago

100% do it.

No woman should ever take an ultimatum like that, but it's better for her to know who you are then you creeping around her and growing resentful while she thinks you're legitimately a friend.

This way everyone goes their separate ways. Eventually you might learn that it's not an either or thing and good relationships are friendships.

[–] hydrashok@sh.itjust.works 31 points 2 days ago

Sometimes things end because someone wants something the other doesn’t. That’s ok. It’s life.

But if you never take the shot, then you’re keeping something alive in hopes of some potential future breakthrough, and that’s not fair to you (or them) either.

So, rip the bandaid off and commit. If that’s not what she wants, that’s on her, and you can move on.

And please, please, please remember— her mental health issues are her own and not yours to solve or navigate like a minefield.

[–] SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 4 points 1 day ago

You gotta shoot your shot and then be prepared to walk away if they're not interested. It's as simple as that. I've ended a few friendships with women I've developed a crush on as once I had a crush, they weren't really friendships anymore.

[–] TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 31 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I cannot fathom why you would want to date someone you don't want as a friend unless you're just horny about them and misdirecting that into romance.

[–] FatTony@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago (2 children)

The problem is that I want more than friendship. It just leaves too much to be desired.

[–] PlasticExistence@lemmy.world 20 points 2 days ago

You want all this from someone you say is highly suicidal. You understand that you would be setting yourself up for failure, don’t you?

If she’s not in a good place, then your relationship will suffer. You need to be realistic here.

[–] Apepollo11@lemmy.world 20 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I want to be sympathetic but alarm bells are ringing with the immediate juxtaposition of "that's all fine but I genuinely begin to develop feelings for her" and "I just don't really care all that much for a friendship".

If the issue was that it's painful to be around her until you can work the feelings out, then that wouldn't be half as bad as saying that she's not worth keeping as a friend if you can't date her.

[–] FatTony@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

“that’s all fine but I genuinely begin to develop feelings for her” and “I just don’t really care all that much for a friendship”.

Okay I may have not worded it very well there. What I mean is that I don't want to be in this "friendzone" any more. I really don't and I don't see myself being happy remaining as such.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So, if she won't give herself to you, you can stop wasting your time on her and find someone else to hang around and obsess over?

I recognize this behavior, because I used to do it. Spoiler: it doesn't work.

Go meet more people, stop treating women differently from men, and remember: getting laid won't happen until you stop forcing it.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

See, what you do is, step 1, buy a mansion. With a huge basement.

Step 2, install several cages in that basement. Full iron bar.

Step 3, hire ninjas to use sleeping darts on her to knock her out.

Step 4, imprison her naked in one of your many basement cells. Each of these cells has a human sized hampster wheel. She now has to run on this hampster wheel all day. Doing so produces electricity, which powers your house.

Step 5, repeat steps 3-4 until all the cells are filled with more naked slaves!

Step 6, install webcams and start a business called "WeRunOnHampsterWheels.com". Create a new fetish based on bouncy boobs running on a hampster wheel, which you now have a temporary monopoly on, and a head start, and an unfair advantage in being able to create live content 24/7 for free.

Never once show your face in this house. Ever.

Step 7, after years of hampster wheel slavery, you "break into" the mansion, and find this woman you used to know who hasn't been seen in like 15 years.

Step 8, tell her you COULD get the key hanging on the wall, and set her free......but you only want to see her in a dating sense.

She'll be so thsnkful that she'll agree to anything.

Checkmate!

[–] FatTony@lemm.ee 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Where am I supposed to get a hamster wheel??

Also, I feel like at that last stage we may as well just remain friends.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago (2 children)

See.....this is why you're having trouble finding dates. Women love a man who has his shit together, and has multiple hampster wheels!

[–] Apepollo11@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I love your commitment to spelling "hampster" with a "p". At first I thought it was a typo, but now I see it's crucial to the thing.

[–] tamal3@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

But New Hampshire and dumpster have a p..!!

Edit: I JUST FIGURED IT OUT. YOU, CHILD OF THE 90s, IT'S BECAUSE HAMPSTER DANCE WAS SPELLED WITH A P. We are fine, we are sane, but we are still recovering from the 90s Internet. Oh, in so many ways. I can't believe it took me 30+ years to realize the origin of the P.

[–] oo1@lemmings.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Kids these days think they're going to get a date without building a medieval hampster wheel powered trebuchet first, our education system has failed.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 16 points 2 days ago (1 children)

If she's not a good enough friend that you're willing to just walk away from her, then dating is probably a bad idea.

[–] FatTony@lemm.ee 4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

It's nothing about her not being good enough. It's my own feelings that are in the way.

[–] Tehhund@lemmy.world 13 points 2 days ago

I disagree with the person you're replying to - romantic partners and friends have a lot in common but they are not the same thing. And just because you were romantically interested in someone doesn't mean you owe them friendship. These things are difficult and if you don't want to keep being a friend for whatever reason that's fine.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world -1 points 2 days ago

Your feelings for what?

[–] pressedhams@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 2 days ago

You’ve outlined it in your post. Your conversation is about how you want more than a platonic friendship and if she doesn’t, you are developing feelings and for your own sake cannot continue to hang out.

Whether you could still be her friend via text or on a other level is also up to you, do you need a clean break or can you just “take a break” and reach back out to her when you’re ready or whatever?

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 7 points 2 days ago

Send her this. It’s honest, plus she’ll have time to think instead of feeling pressured to respond instantly.

[–] yesman@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Why do you want to be in a relationship with someone who you don't like?

[–] TheFogan@programming.dev 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Honestly it sounds like the opposite. I've been there before... having feelings for someone but not being able to act on them. Feeling complete jealousy when she begins dating someone else, it can fucking hurt big time. People can say it's selfish or whatever, but honestly the feeling can tear the hell out of someone, and it's better for both parties to cut ties.

However it is really tricky to handle it. Because you can't let it sound like an ultimatum (IE sleep with me or I'm out).

IMO the only real way to go about it is, shoot your shot. Ask her officially on a date, if she would like to consider taking things to a relationship level. If she seems not to want it, I'd try and fade out the friendship slowly. IE actually make yourself busier. Commit to more events with other friends, pick up a time consuming hobby etc...

Most friendships drift apart anyway. If you want to spend less time with her, start spending more time on something else and let the friendship burn out the natural way they tend to do.

[–] FatTony@lemm.ee 4 points 2 days ago

I never said I didn't like her. It's quite the opposite.

[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

As someone who had this mindset from social pressure in their younger years, you should get over yourself. A friendship and a dating/sexual relationship can be separated by being able to let go of the feeling of being rejected.

Because the friendship is going to end, one way or the other.

Your feelings of being rejected are valid, your reaction is counter productive in the long run. Try to be friends, let the rejection go. Focus on putting yourself out there to find someone else.

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Just be nice, say your romantic feelings are getting to you too much and that you want to back off if you can't pursue them. Staying open to occasional contact (like by email) is a lot better than cutting the person off completely.

Getting involved with someone with serious mental health issues doesn't sound like a great idea either, if they're not under some reasonable level of control.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 5 points 2 days ago

If you would break it off either way, just tell them how you feel. The worst that happens is she doesn't feel the same and you stop seeing them. But the potential she feels the same is there, too.

[–] MyBrainHurts@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'd like to be friends but only if we can have sex.

Doesn't really sound like a rock solid friendship there.

[–] AmidFuror@fedia.io 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

That analogy is unfair to our genial mobster Fat Tony. People in romantic relationships often do everything friends would do and more. Fat Tony isn't pursuing a romantic relationship because he's shallow. He's looking to back out of the relationship because it's too painful for him to not have the romantic aspect.

It's going to be much less common for people to avoid friendships because they're so horny for the person they get blue balls. In your analogy, the person doesn't want the friendship because they don't even like the other person's company and only want to fuck. Fat Tony likes this person too much.

[–] SharkEatingBreakfast@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Not enough to value her friendship, feelings, personal experiences, shared experiences and bond they had over potentially banging her!

"Possibility of sex, or else I'm throwing it all out."

How romantic. 💖

[–] MyBrainHurts@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

Exactly! "Hey, being a friend is great but not great enough that I value it if you won't sleep with me!" And worse, the guy seems to know she's in a bad place and is just "yeah, sure, but what about me??? I wanna sleep with her, she knows this and hasn't acted on it so either lemme bang or gtfo, fuck your mental state.")

Also, love the picture.

[–] MyBrainHurts@lemmy.ca -1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

A) It's not an analogy, it's a summation of facts.

B) I would put heavy money says F Tony finds this person fairly attractive and bizzarely, this situation hasn't arisen with an unattractive female friend.

C) I've been that asshole, I get it. But personally, a huge part of maturing from a boy to a man was learning the difference between friendship and romance, and that a friendship with an attractive woman who seems super compatible doesn't mean a romantic relationship is the next or best step. (Also, how fucking shitty is this to our lady friends?) It's a weird lesson and not one that everyone learns but my God, the world opens up once/if you do figure it out.

[–] AmidFuror@fedia.io 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Maybe your old self is projecting a lot of your past struggles into Tony here. You're the one equating taking a girl out on a date with having sex.

[–] MyBrainHurts@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Maybe but I think you either really want this guy to be the good guy here or you're not reading particularly critically. This guy makes an actual analogy of friendship as "like only being allowed to smell a fine wine instead of drinking it." which is pretty gross, like the point of friendship is actually dating or nothing. (No one buys a wine to smell it, whereas most normal people can just be friends of whatever gender to be friends.)

And this isn't a case of "she just doesn't know how I feel!" as he states at the beginning she knows, so she is un interested or not in the right space.

And yeah, "You’re the one equating taking a girl out on a date with having sex." because what most dating is about is a platonic hand holding?

I get I'm online and this place skews young, male and not particularly social but this is fairly goshdarn creepy. Like, is this guy unable to function around interesting women who have partners? Or is it just that this woman has the audacity to be single while he's single and RIGHT HERE and they're already friends so clearly she owes him? Ugh.

Edit: I don't think Lemmy has enough women for a vibrant NiceGuys community but if you're still on reddit, you should give r/NiceGuys a whirl. It's kind of full of this self pitying "but I'm her friend, surely she should want to date me" kinda creepiness.

[–] AmidFuror@fedia.io 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Perhaps.

I think you're making a mistake though only thinking there is platonic and sexual. There are romantic aspects to many relationships which are neither.

[–] MyBrainHurts@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 day ago

I think it takes a wild leap to say that the guy who compared being friends and unable to date as smelling wine but not being allowed to drink it, what he really wants is the soulful bond of a romantic relationship in an asexual manner. That's just a completely wild interpretation supported by nothing other than, I dunno, wanting it to be the case?